The China Mail - India lose Rahul after strong start in West Indies Test

Rahul made a brisk 38 but was stumped off Jomel Warrican's left-arm spin, bringing an end to a 58-run opening stand after India elected to bat first at Delhi's Feroz Shah Kotla ground.

Yashasvi Jaiswal was still at the crease on 40, with he and Rahul starting cautiously before stepping up the pace with delightful boundaries.

Rahul hit pace bowler Jayden Seales for successive fours, including a rasping cover drive followed by a whip towards the mid-on fence.

Jaiswal's straight drive off pace bowler Anderson Phillip after the first drinks break also delighted home fans.

Spin was introduced in the 15th over, with Khary Pierre bowling his left-arm orthodox on a tidy line and length.

Rahul took on Pierre in the next over and came down the track to hit the first six of the match over long-on.

But another ambitious attempt in the next over off Warrican cost him, with wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach quick with his glovework.

Sai Sudharsan, batting on 16, started with a boundary and helped Jaiswal steer India to the break.

Strong favourites India came in unchanged after captain Shubman Gill won the toss and batted first in their bid to sweep the two-match series following an innings victory in the opener.

The visitors, led by Roston Chase, are looking to avoid a second successive Test whitewash after losing 3-0 to Australia at home recently.

However, they are a pale shadow of the team that once dominated cricket.

H.Ng--ThChM